PURE TRASH: The Story is a short story and prequel to Stevens’s début novel DOG BONE SOUP released January 2015. You’ll get to read the author’s Work-In-Progress by signing up for Bette’s Email Updates http://eepurl.com/t-7JP

PURE TRASH, The Story (Blurb/Description)

“This short story is filled with images and flavor only better provided by an ice cream cone…PURE TRASH gives the reader pause for thought, and I recommend it to the adult reader and the YA reader alike.” Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, author of fiction & non-fiction

PURE TRASH, The Story is about bullies, both in the traditional and non-traditional sense. It may redefine your definition of bullying. Torment, persecution, intimidation…These are a few descriptors of what those considered “different” in some way may suffer. For Shawn and Willie, their “difference” is based upon the social status of the dysfunctional family, the alcoholism and the abject poverty in which they grew up. The boys are bullied by both children and adults who look down upon them. Yet, through it all, Shawn and Willie Daniels manage to make the most of life.

Inspired by nature and human nature, author Bette A. Stevens is a retired elementary and middle school teacher, a wife, mother of two and grandmother of five. Stevens lives in Central Maine with her husband on their 37-acre farmstead where she enjoys reading, writing, gardening, walking and reveling in the beauty of nature. She advocates for children and families, for childhood literacy and for the conservation of monarch butterflies—an endangered species (and milkweed, the only plant that monarch caterpillars will eat).

Stevens is the author of AMAZING MATILDA, an award-winning picture book; The Tangram Zoo and Word Puzzles Too!, a home/school resource incorporating hands-on math and writing; and PURE TRASH, the short story prequel to her début novel, DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming of age novel published in January 2015.

Find out more about Maine author/illustrator Bette A. Stevens and take a “Look inside” her books at YOUR AMAZON.

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Comments on: "PURE TRASH, The Story READ FREE Opening Excerpt!" (31)

Hi my dear Bette!
Seen you came by today, Thanks! I’m still practicing this “Blog Tour Stuff”, and Wendy just keeps signing me up as a HOST!..LOL…She does a great job helping Authors sell and promo their books though 🙂

Have I told you yet that I love the pretty Colors on your blog? And that photo of baby carnations is to die for! Those are my favorite flower. Small but have a powerful smell. I see your doing a little hosting too. Hope all is well your way, and thanks for all your kind retweets on Twitter too 🙂

Hi, Catherine. Thanks so much for your visits and for your thoughtful comments, too. I’m having lots of fun hosting guests of my own as well as my wonderful new author friends from RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB. It’s great having a wonderful media friend like you. Your blog has lots of great posts too! 🙂 XO

HI, Ernesto. PURE TRASH is only 21 pages long. I wanted to have a paperback for several reasons. First, to have it available for middle-grade and high-school students to access in their local school and public libraries. Next, as a possible story inclusion in anthologies for young adults. As a retired teacher, I believe this short story is a great way to open up a discussion about poverty, prejudice and bullying. Additionally, it’s a great way to introduce the main character of my upcoming debut novel to readers. Also, I like having a paperback available to hold and give away, too. Let me know if you would like to read the entire short story for review. I would be happy to gift you a copy from Amazon (paperback or kindle). Thanks so much for stopping by and adding to the discussion. 🙂

Thanks Bette. I’ll probably get around to picking up a copy after I’m through with a few others. You’re 5th in the “batting order”. I don’t believe in “freebies” and avoid them as much as possible. I don’t work for free, and therefore, I do not expect others to do that either.
Great idea as a precursor for an upcoming novel…my wheels are turning.

Hi, Cathleen. Thanks so much for taking the time to read the excerpt and comment. Glad you enjoyed it. The short story is a prequel to DOG BONE SOUP, a coming-of-age novel featuring the trials and triumphs of Shawn Daniels and his family during the 1950s and 60s. Hugs! Bette

Thanks so much, Annabelle. I will be featuring a #FREE download for PURE TRASH within the next couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy the excerpt and download the book too. I’ll blog about the #FREE eBook when the promo is live. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂

YES! The Free Promo will be available in all Amazon marketplaces, Annabelle. Thanks for asking about it. Enjoy your weekend. It’s snowing here with another blizzard expected Sunday night. Perfect time to catch up on some of my own reading… 🙂

I read Dog Bone Soup some time back and will get around to Pure Trash eventually. You guys and gals know how that is, but I promise I’ll get to it. Bette Stevens is not only a great author, but a wonderful lady. Buy her books and support her anyway you can. Monarch butterflies are endangered and helping to save them is only one of Bette’s missions. Did you know the caterpillars only eat milkweed? Join her in her fight.

This story took me down memory lane to my own childhood filled with penny candy, candied apples, two cent empty Orange Crush bottles.
Will (5) and Shawn (9) are brothers out to enjoy a great day together. The author gives us a play by play of this day along with background on the young boys’ home situation of a dad’s drinking and parents fighting over money.
It is a sweet story that made me feel good inside.